Building a regional network of epidemiology experts: WHO strengthens public health surveillance in the Western Pacific

Since 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) has trained more than 200 public health professionals from 17 Western Pacific countries and areas through the Western Pacific Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme (FEFP), fostering a robust regional network of disease surveillance experts. The FEFP equips Fellows with practical skills in outbreak detection, risk assessment, and the use of innovative surveillance tools to support early warning systems. The programme provides opportunities for participants to conduct regional public health surveillance activities, immediately strengthening countries’ capacities.

 Alumni from the programme − the Region’s future leaders in public health − form a network that contributes to health emergency preparedness. WHO organizes annual FEFP alumni meetings to ensure that strengths are leveraged, best practices are shared and regional solidarity in health security is advanced through a community of practice. Fellows also become members of the WHO Global Health Emergency Corps initiative, helping to strengthen, standardize and scale up national health emergency workforce capacities worldwide.

The most recent FEFP alumni workshop took place on 22−24 April 2025 and was attended by 22 participants from 14 countries in the Western Pacific. The participants learnt about cutting-edge methods for risk profiling, early action reviews for outbreaks, field epidemiological case study development and hospital event-based surveillance. By creating opportunities for public health surveillance experts to exchange information, address common challenges and build long-term professional networks, WHO enables better-coordinated regional responses to public health threats.

Fellows in focus: insights from the 2025 FEFP cohort

In 2025, epidemiologists from the Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands and Viet Nam were among those who participated in the FEFP, where they were able to spend time with and learn from one another.

They reflected on the value of the programme:

Sang Hyuk Lee, Epidemiological Investigation Officer, Division of Emerging Infectious Disease Response, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Sang Hyuk Lee conducts surveillance activities as part of his work as an epidemiological investigation officer.

“My interest in public health and epidemiology began in 2015, when the Republic of Korea experienced a significant outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). At the time, I was a graduate student studying health policy and hospital management. Watching the national response unfold, I became deeply interested in how infectious diseases could be controlled through epidemiological investigations. After witnessing how coordinated fieldwork and data-driven strategies helped identify transmission routes and contain the outbreak, I was inspired to pursue a career in this field

“As a Fellow in the FEFP, I’ve gained practical skills in multisectoral coordination and the integration of digital tools for real-time outbreak monitoring − skills that I hope to apply in my country to strengthen data-sharing and speed up response efforts at both the local and national levels

“One of the most valuable aspects of this Fellowship has been the opportunity to learn from Fellows from other countries. Through in-depth discussions, I gained insights into how each country’s environment, endemic diseases and public health capacity shape their surveillance and response systems. This experience has broadened my perspective on surveillance and will be highly useful in improving risk assessment and early warning systems in the Republic of Korea.”

Henao Boara, Surveillance Focal Point Officer, Solomon Islands

Henao Boara conducts measles surveillance as part of her role as a surveillance focal point officer.

“Growing up I saw both my parents serve our community through their jobs as nurses. My mum used to take me to work with her and I saw first-hand how she was helping our community members. I wanted to be just like her, and so I became a nurse.

“I work at Gizo Hospital in Western Province in Solomon Islands. During the pandemic, I became the default surveillance focal officer for my health facility. I saw that I could add more value to public health through surveillance and outbreak investigation. So, I completed the Field Epidemiology Training Programme with WHO.

“The Training Programme then led to a Fellowship in the FEFP, where I learnt how to use the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) platform to track disease trends. Previously, I used to wait until cases at my provincial hospital were increasing before taking action to address the situation. Now, with EIOS, I’m able to proactively search for disease trends in the community and stay ahead of the epidemiological curve.”

Thi Bich Ngoc Pham, Field Epidemiology Training Programme Officer, General Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Viet Nam

  Thi Bich Ngoc Pham presents information on the Field Epidemiology Training Programme.

 “Ten years ago, I joined the Viet Nam Field Epidemiology Training Programme, where I coordinated with regional institutes and agencies to implement the programme’s work plan. I deeply appreciate how the programme strengthens the knowledge and skills of public health surveillance officers. 

“This was followed by my FEFP experience, which provided a platform for Fellows to learn about the culture, health systems and public health approaches of other countries. This cultural exchange fosters mutual respect and understanding − crucial elements of regional unity and collaboration. Fellows learn new techniques, tools and methodologies that can be adapted and applied to their respective national public health systems.

“For example, Sang Hyuk Lee shared the format that is used in the Republic of Korea to publish weekly public health surveillance reports, and this is something that Viet Nam can learn from. Similarly, Viet Nam is now revising regulations around notifiable diseases, and we can learn a lot from how this is being done in the Republic of Korea.

“I’m familiar with many countries in our Region, but it was my first experience meeting a surveillance expert from a Pacific island country. I learned so much from Henao Boara from Solomon Islands, particularly about the Syndromic Surveillance System used by Pacific island countries.”

Looking ahead

WHO is grateful for the invaluable support from the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea, which enables this work.

Moving forward, WHO will convene a community of practice to strengthen the FEFP alumni network and enable sharing of knowledge and best practices across the Region. Additional training modules will also be rolled out, such as the “Field Epidemiology Training Programme Plus”, which builds on the existing Field Epidemiology Training Programme. The modules will cover all hazards and be adaptable to specific country contexts. These modules are designed to supplement national field epidemiology training programmes and enhance national workforce surveillance capacities through collaboration with multiple sectors.